Six for Sunday makes its triumphant return! I was doing well picking the games each week before I took a couple of weeks off. Let’s see if I can get back on track.

Playoff Pat?: Colts @ Chiefs

The Colts come to arrowhead to play a team licking their wounds after back to back losses on the road. The Colts need to win to keep pace with the other teams with only 2 losses. They are also trying to hold off the Jags and the Texans from catching up to them. The Colts haven’t looked quite as sharp the last couple of games but they are well rested coming off a bye. And they are really good this year. Jonathan Taylor is arguably the MVP and Daniel Jones has been playing quite as well. An to top it all off, the Colts are good at a lot of things we aren’t good against, like play action, man coverage and rushing only 4. On the flip side, the Chiefs are playing for their playoff lives. Losing this game doesn’t eliminate them but they would need to win out the rest of the way and still probably need some help. Of all the “must win” games, this is a must win game. I know most of my Chiefs fan friends are not feeling great about this game and this team in general. But here is a little hope for you. In 2019, the Chiefs lost a terrible game they had no business in losing to the Titans. They fell to 6-4. They didn’t lose again in that year. In 2021, the league had supposedly figured the Chiefs out. We looked terribly offensively. We got blown out at Tennessee and then we only lost one game the rest of the year and lost in overtime in the AFC championship game. In 2023, the Chiefs started off okay and then really struggled down the stretch and lost just an awful game on Christmas Day against the Raiders. They didn’t lose again and won the Super Bowl. Every other year the Chiefs struggle and at some point lose a game where everyone thinks they are done. Then they win the rest of their games. I’m not saying last week was that game. I’m also not saying it isn’t. I think Sunday’s game will tell us a lot. I think Playoff Pat shows up and the Chiefs get it done. He has never lost 3 regular season games in a row, I don’t think this is the first time that happens. If they do, I think we are back in action. If we don’t, then I think we are done for this year.

Chiefs 31 Colts 24

Jameis in the Lions Den: Giants @ Lions

I don’t think this will be a close game. I just couldn’t resist writing about Jameis Winston. Besides being a really nice guy and a Christian, he is also just hilarious with some of the things he says. This week when asked about starting again, he said “There’s no pressure for the prepared.” Where else do you get lines like that from a guy who isn’t very good. Winston is also awesome to watch play because he is going to throw it a bunch and probably throw multiple tds to both teams. In this one, he heads to Detroit. The Lions have been real good against bad teams and so so against good teams. The Giants are a bad team. Goff indoors is much better and the Giants secondary is not great. I think this will be a fun high scoring game but Winston and the Giants won’t be able to keep up. Which will lead to more throwing and more Winston fun. Winston will throw 4 touchdowns in this one. 3 to his team and 1 to the Lions.

Lions 45 Giants 27

Rodgers Return to his other home?: Steelers @ Bears

The Steelers are headed to Chicago. This we know. Who will be quarterback be? This we don’t know. Aaron Rodgers has owned the Bears over the years. He has an injured wrist and may not be able to play. But you know he wants to play. Rodgers is a weird dude. He also loves to hold grudges. He hates the Bears and more importantly loves to beat the Bears. If Rodgers doesn’t go, Mason Rudolph leads the team. I don’t think the Steelers aren’t great. But I also don’t think the Bears are great. I know they are 7-3 but they really haven’t beaten anyone good. If Rudolph plays, I’d probably go Bears. But I think Rodgers plays and turns the Bears into the Cubs and gets the win.

Steelers 27 Bears 17

Birds fly south: Eagles @ Cowboys

The Cowboys are coming off a positive win, even though it was against the Raiders and their two best receivers were out partying the night before. The Cowboys have been terrible on defense, are 4-5-1 and had a teammate die and they still have better vibes than the 8-2 Eagles. AJ Brown is not getting the ball and is letting everyone know about it. Saquon is not playing well but the trades they made dramatically improved the Eagles D. Which creates a great match up of the Cowboys explosive offense vs a very good defense. Dak has been incredibly good in his division and is 7-1 against the Eagles at home. The Eagles just seem off and due for a loss. I think the Cowboys make the Eagles flightless.

Cowboys 27 Eagles 24

Bake Show vs the MVP: Bucs @ Rams

Baker and the Bucs are coming off back to back losses and now have to head to LA to face the Rams. The Rams are playing as good of football as anyone right now. Matt Stafford is playing at an MVP level. They have good skill guys and a great defense. The Bucs have Baker. Their D hasn’t been great and they are down some weapons. But you know I love me some Baker. They may get back Chris Godwin which should help. But they are still missing Bucky Irving and Mike Evans. Stafford is great but if you can get pressure on him he isn’t very mobile. The Rams don’t have much of a home crowd but they are better off at home than the Chargers. And I can’t imagine the Bucs are bringing a huge crowd all the way from Tampa. I think Baker plays one of his better games and keeps it close. But ultimately the Rams are just better than the Bucs.

Rams 38 Bucs 28

McCaffrey thank you game: Panthers @ 49ers

Usually when a player plays his former team, it’s a revenge game. But not when you played for the Panthers. This is a thank you game. Thank you for trading me to the 49ers so I can compete for super bowls as opposed to celebrating when you win a game or two. The Panthers have been an up and down team all year with some great moments and some bad moments. They are at their best when they are running the ball well which they usually do. Bryce Young has had some good moments like last week but also had some not so good moments. The 49ers have been battling injuries all year which isn’t shocking because they are the 49ers. But they are finally getting healthy and if last week was a sign of things to come, the offense is going to be very good. Both these teams need this win for their playoff hopes. Ultimately, I just don’t trust the Panthers week to week. Give the 49ers in this one.

49ers 30 Panthers 17